Use the Spirit to Come to the Lord- 2 Corinthians 3-7; 12

What does the Spirit give us? “The spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) 

In these few words, Paul encourages us to let the Spirit come into our hearts and breathe life into the scriptures. President Monson teaches, "The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart.” He goes on to say “... we turn from the narrow confinement of the letter of the law and seek the open vista of opportunity that the Spirit provides.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Spirit Giveth Life,” Ensign, June 1997)  We must not simply read the words that are written; but, we must ponder deeply and apply the doctrine and principles to our lives. We must “Use the Spirit to Come to the Lord.”

Knowing what the Spirit gives us, where where does death come? “For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

If the Spirit comes to those who keep the commandments, death comes when we knowingly choose to disobey the commandments. In the April 1987 General Conference, President Hinckley reminds us, “Each of us has a choice between right and wrong. But with that choice there inevitably will follow consequences. Those who choose to violate the commandments of God put themselves at great spiritual and physical jeopardy.” He also shared the words of Jacob, “Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal” (2 Ne. 9:39)

What then is needed to bring the Spirit into our lives?

To bring the Spirit into, and keep the Spirit in our lives, we must give ourselves to Jesus Christ, live by the Commandments that we’ve been given, and stay true to our Covenants. And, we must be active disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes: daily prayer, reading the scriptures, partaking of the Sacrament, living a life of righteousness, magnifying our callings and serving others, living a wholesome, righteous life, and teaching and sharing the Gospel with others. He has promised that we will have the Spirit with us as long as we are faithful and worthy. (Mosiah 2:36-37)

How do the principles in the following scriptures bring us closer to God and give us more freedom from Satan? As I read these scriptures, I find a commonality- if we stay focused on what we know is right, why we are here, and on our eternal goals, we will distance ourselves from the grasp of Satan.

• If we have faith in God, the light of Christ will guide and protect us (2 Corinthians 4:6–10)
• If keep our sights on our eternal goals, we will stay true to our covenants and be able to return to our Father in Heaven (2 Corinthians 4:14–18)
• We are accountable for what we do as mortal beings, therefore, we should live in a state of constant repentance so that we might be worthy to stand before Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7–10)
• When are born again, in Christ, we leave behind what was and live anew with the light of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)
• If we surround ourselves with other faithful believers, we will continue on the path of righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:14–17)
• If we truly sorry and ask forgiveness from the heart, we will be cleansed and our reward will be great (2 Corinthians 7:1, 9–10)
• If we are grateful in all things, even when we are going through troubled or trying times, we will be strengthened by the experience (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)